Lufthansa cancels over 800 flights amid strike call

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - Germany’s leading airline Lufthansa cancelled more than 800 flights scheduled for Tuesday as public-sector workers announced strikes at Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne and Bremen airports.

In a statement released on Monday, the airline said it had to cancel half of a total of 1,600 flights scheduled for Tuesday, affecting about 90,000 passengers.

The Verdi trade union announced a full-day strike from 5.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. local time (0300 to 1600GMT), involving ground handling services, the support services and the airport fire brigade.

Lufthansa said it will resume normal flight operations as of Wednesday.

Verdi trade union is demanding a six percent annual pay rise for its members.